AGRICULTURAL BOTANY 



155 



Bulbs have been defined on page 134. They often 

 divide naturally into two or more parts or may be so 

 divided artificially, each of which parts may become 

 another plant. Bulblets often form around 

 the parent bulb, and these may be used 

 to propagate. 



A corm is like a bulb in outside appear- 

 ance, but it is solid throughout and made 

 up of leaves like the onion or lily bulb. 

 Small corms develop much as do bulblets, 

 and may be used in the same manner. 

 Gladiolus and Indian turnip are good ex- 

 amples of corms. 



Artificial Propagation. Many of the 

 methods of propagation just described are 

 either natural or artificial, but the follow- 

 ing are entirely artificial, having been de- 

 veloped by man to increase reproduction. 



Cuttings. A cutting is a detached por- 

 tion of a plant placed in soil or water to 

 produce a new plant. The part detached 

 may be a root, a stem, or even a leaf, 

 but the chances of successful growth are 

 better if the younger, matured growths 

 are used and the part contains one or 

 more buds. 



One end of the cutting of a stem is usu- 

 ally placed in a box of sand, in the soil, or 

 in water, and if the proper amount of heat 

 and moisture be supplied, roots will first be developed 

 and then the slip will put forth new branches, leaves, 

 flowers, and fruit. Root cuttings are generally buried 

 in the sand or the soil, where, if healthy, they will 



FIG. 76. Cut- 

 tings. 



